Mercedes Jenkins

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy, Google

San Francisco

Mercedes supports the Staffing Organization at Google, by focusing on learning and development from a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. She works to help staffers create equitable hiring processes and reflect the global community of Googler users. Before Google she led DEI strategy at Lyft and helped General Assembly, SF through local social impact initiatives.

Mercedes has been in the social justice and education field for over a decade working towards providing equitable opportunities for historically left out communities across the US. From working with teachers from DC's public schools, teaching middle school at a charter school in San Jose, CA to being a director for a cognitive processing center in San Francisco, Mercedes believes that quality education should be accessible to everyone and that social justice starts in the classroom.

Mercedes studied film, psychology, Spanish, philosophy and religion in undergrad and ruins all movies for friends by critiquing them. She is also is a yoga teacher, avid hiker and building an educational outdoor community geared towards empowering women who are interested in accessing the outdoors. She loves podcasts and is trying to train her lab, Xochitl.